Challenges Faced by Police Personnel in Responding to Gender-Based Violence in Cross River State Police Command, Nigeria

Challenges Faced by Police Personnel in Responding to Gender-Based Violence in Cross River State Police Command, Nigeria | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Challenges Faced by Police Personnel in Responding to Gender-Based Violence in Cross River State Police Command, Nigeria BLESSING OFEM OBETEN, Marvin Muji BISONGEDAM, OFEM OBETEN, TIMABEN EDOM OBO, and 2 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8221013/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Gender-based violence is violence directed against an individual based on sex or gender, which is the most common human rights violation, frequently occurring across all nations of the world, without social or economic boundaries. This research examined the challenges encountered by police personnel in Cross River State in effectively responding to gender-based violence (GBV). Utilizing data from a cross-sectional descriptive survey of 188 personnel across family/gender, legal/prosecution, and medical units, the study identified key structural and operational barriers. The most prevalent challenge was inadequate funding (55.2%), followed by lack of private space for survivors (38.7%), and insufficient training and deployment of specialized personnel (47%). These constraints were reported to significantly hinder the timely and sensitive handling of GBV cases. Despite some personnel ensuring case filing (43.6%) and convictions (43.1%), the overall response was undermined by systemic inefficiencies. The study emphasizes the urgent need for resource allocation, private interview spaces, and continuous capacity building within the police force to improve institutional responsiveness and survivor-centered care in GBV interventions. INTRODUCTION Gender-based violence, according to (WHO, 2018), is an umbrella term for all forms of harmful acts perpetrated against a person’s will and is based on differences in gender between males and females. GBV takes up different forms, which include sexual violence, physical violence, emotional and verbal violence, intimate partner violence, child marriage, female genital mutilation/cutting, trafficking for sexual exploitation, female infanticide, honour crimes, battery, and sexual cleansing ((UNICEF), 2019). GBV remains a significant security concern despite laws and policies in place to combat it. Priority action is needed to prevent and end GBV by protecting survivors' rights and access to legal and health services (SIDA, 2015 ). Despite the existence of laws and policies aimed at addressing GBV in Nigeria, the problem remains a major security, public health, and human rights concern. The police, as the primary point of contact for many survivors, play a central role in prevention, investigation, and prosecution efforts (UNDP, 2019 ). However, GBV response is complex, often hindered by structural, cultural, and operational challenges.(SIDA, 2015 ) Globally, police forces encounter obstacles such as inadequate training, limited resources, societal pressure, and institutional biases, which weaken their ability to respond effectively (Billingham, 2021 ). In Nigeria, these issues are compounded by high GBV prevalence rates, with some regions like Cross River State reporting rates as high as 42% (Otang, 2021 ) and by underreporting due to survivors’ mistrust of law enforcement systems. Understanding the specific challenges faced by police personnel in the GBV response system is crucial to strengthening their role in protecting survivors and upholding justice. This study identifies the operational, institutional, and socio-cultural barriers that limit police effectiveness in handling GBV cases. Documenting these challenges will provide a framework for targeted interventions, including training, resource allocation, procedural reforms, and inter-agency collaborations that can improve GBV response capacity. METHODOLOGY Study area The study was conducted at the Cross River State Police Command, located at Leopard Town Road, Diamond Hill, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. The Command oversees all Police Divisions across the State’s Local Government Areas and is headed by the Commissioner of Police. GBV cases are primarily addressed by the Family Unit under the Investigation Department, working in collaboration with the Legal/Prosecution and Medical units. Study design A cross-sectional descriptive design with quantitative methods was adopted to examine the operational, logistical, and institutional challenges personnel face in responding to GBV cases. Study population Personnel in the Family, Legal/Prosecution, and medical units of the Cross River State Police Command, including those at divisional levels involved in recording, reporting, and addressing GBV cases. Sample size determination The sample size for the study was determined using (Yamane, 1973 ). $$\:=\frac{N}{1+N{\left(e\right)}^{2}}$$ Where: n = sample size N = population size of the study (the estimated number given by the police = 325: Family-177; Legal/Prosecution-88; and medical unit-60) e = precision or absolute sample error required 5% (0.05) Therefore; $$\:n=\frac{325}{1+325\left(0.0{5}^{2}\right)}$$ $$\:=\frac{325}{1+325\left(0.0025\right)}$$ $$\:=\frac{325}{1.8125}$$ n = 179 To account for non-response, the sample size was increased by 5% Inclusion criteria All personnel working under the Family, Legal/Prosecution, and Medical Units, which address all gender-based violence cases reported to the Cross River State Police Command, Nigeria, were included in the study. Sampling procedure Multi-stage sampling technique was used for the study. Stage 1: distribution of personnel in family, legal/prosecution, and medical units There were 177 personnel in the family unit, 88 in the legal/prosecution unit, and 60 in the medical unit working to address GBV in the Cross River State Police Command and its Divisions, making a total of 325. A proportionate sampling method was used to determine the number of personnel in each unit, with a sample size of 188. Stage 2: Selection of personnel The sample size of 188 respondents, Police personnel from the family (102), legal/prosecution (51), and medical units (35) working together to address GBV cases, was then purposively sampled based on the distribution of personnel derived from the proportionate sampling technique. The purposive sampling technique was used to select respondents because the researcher was limited to only Police Officers in the Family, Medical, and Legal units, with the information required for this study, and was based on availability. Instruments for data collection A self-administered semi-structured questionnaire was used. Sections of relevance for this topic included: a semi-structured questionnaire, which consisted of two sections- section A contained information on participants' socio-demographic characteristics. Section B contained information on the challenges faced by personnel in responding to GBV. Validity and reliability The instrument was reviewed for content and face validity by experts, and reliability was tested in the Akwa Ibom State Police Command. Data collection procedure Two (2) research assistants were trained and employed to assist the researcher in data collection to ensure that valid and reliable data were collected. A total of 188 semi-structured questionnaires were distributed among Police personnel in the Family, Legal/Prosecution, and medical units working together to address GBV cases were selected by the purposive sampling method. Data analysis Challenges were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean scores, standard deviations, and frequency distributions). The weighted average method was applied, with 2.53 used as the decision benchmark for determining major challenges. Ethical Consideration Approvals and ethical clearance were obtained from the relevant ethics committee, including the Cross River State Health Research Ethics Committee (CRS-HREC), and the Commissioner of Police. Informed consent was secured from all participants, and confidentiality was ensured. RESULTS Socio-demographic variables of respondents The minimum age of personnel was 24 years, and the maximum was 57 years, with a mean age of 41 years. The majority of personnel who responded were females, 104 (57.5%). Most of the personnel were from Cross River State 131, 72.4%), and then followed by 33 (18.2%) personnel from Akwa Ibom State. A total of 179 (98.9%) personnel were Christians, having 2 (1.1%) personnel as Traditionalists. The highest level of education of most of the personnel, 144 (79.6%), was tertiary level, followed by 36 (19.9%) personnel at the secondary level. On the marital status of personnel, 136 (75.1%) were married. The majority of these personnel 60, 33.1%) were of Inspector of Police rank; 57 (31.5%) were of the rank Assistant Superintendent of Police; 32 (17.7%) were Deputy Superintendent of Police; 18 (9.9%) were constables; and 6 (3.3%) were at the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police II. Personnel who responded were in family unit 98 (54.1%), medical unit 35 (19.4%), and 48 (26.5%) from the legal unit. (Table 1 ). Table 1 Socio-demographic variables of respondents Variable Frequency (n = 181) Percent (%) Gender Male Female 77 42.5 104 57.5 State of origin Cross River 131 72.4 Akwa Ibom 33 18.2 Rivers State 5 2.8 Edo 3 1.7 Benue State 5 2.8 Ebonyi 1 0.6 Delta 3 1.7 Age in years 24–29 27 14.9 30–34 9 5.0 35–39 50 27.6 40–44 29 16.0 45–49 6 3.3 50–54 36 19.9 55–60 24 13.3 Religion Christian 179 98.9 Traditionalist 2 1.1 Highest level of education Tertiary 144 79.6 Secondary 36 19.9 Primary 1 .6 Marital status Married 136 75.1 Single 45 24.9 Rank Supt of Police 5 2.8 Asst. Supt 57 31.5 Inspector 60 33.1 Head of anti-robbery 1 .6 ASP 2 6 3.3 Human Rights Section, Operative 1 .6 CSP 1 .6 Constable 18 9.9 Deputy Supt. of Police 32 17.7 Service unit Family 98 54.1 Medical 35 19.4 Legal 48 26.5 Position held in your unit OC Records SCID 34 22.1 Investigator 60 39.0 HOD 20 13.0 Administrator 8 5.2 Head of Anti-Robbery 3 2.0 Prosecutor 9 5.8 Officer In-charge of the General Unit 13 8.4 Detective 7 4.5 Challenges encountered by police personnel in response to gender-based violence The results show that the majority of the personnel, 169 (93.4%), had reported that some personnel had been trained in their unit on GBV, while 12 (6.6%) reported that no personnel had been trained. Among the personnel who said some personnel were trained, the majority of them, 145 (85.4%), indicated that those trained personnel were still in their units, whereas 24 (14.6%) indicated that the trained personnel were no longer in the units in which they were trained. The majority of personnel, 130 (71.8%), said that survivors who reported cases of GBV were attended to by officers of the same sex, whereas 51 (28.2%) said survivors of GBV were not attended to by officers of the same sex. A greater proportion of the personnel, 102 (56.4%), indicated that their station could transport or accompany survivors for further services and referrals, while 79 (43.6%) personnel indicated that their station could not transport or accompany survivors for further services and referrals. (Table 3 a). The majority of personnel, 85 (47.0%), appeared to have a high level of challenge as officers in the gender and family unit were insufficient. A low-level challenge was noted among the majority of personnel, 88 (48.6%), that officers were not being dedicated and were ineffective in response to GBV cases reported to them. The majority of personnel who strongly disagreed with the statement that a female unit, comprising only female officers, should be sent were 107 (59.1%), indicating a low level of challenge. Also, most of the personnel 91, 50.3%) disagreed with the statement that officers are not well trained on GBV and how to handle cases, which indicated a low challenge level. However, there were notable high challenge level reported by majority of the personnel 74 (40.9%) who reported that officers are not provided with GBV information materials, 100 (55.2%) inadequate funding to carry out investigation and other GBV related duties, 69 (38.1%) no provision for allocating budget or logistic for investigations on the police Act, and 66 (36.5%) a complete lack and neglect on psychosocial support services for GBV survivors. Furthermore, Majority of the personnel 70 (38.7%) reported a high level of challenges encountered in areas of no provision of safe shelter for survivors who need it, fifty-eight (32.0%) personnel reported a lack of private and safe space for survivors to speak freely and for confidentially, and also, a lack of secure record filing and storage space in the police station. (Table 3 b). Table 3 a : Challenges encountered by Police Personnel Variable Frequency (n = 181) Percent (%) Trained on GBV? Trained 169 93.4 Not trained 12 6.6 If yes, are the individuals who were trained still in your unit? Yes 145 85.4 No 24 14.6 Gender of the officer attending to survivors Same sex 130 71.8 Opposite sex 51 28.2 Does your station have the ability to transport or accompany survivors for further services and referrals? Yes 102 56.4 No 79 43.6 Table 3 b : Challenges encountered by Police Personnel Statement Strongly Agree n(%) Agree n(%) Disagree n(%) Strongly Disagree n(%) Mean Std. Deviation Challenge Remark Officers in the gender and family unit are insufficient 35(19.3) 85(47.0) 48(26.5) 13(7.2) 2.81 1.027 High Officers are not dedicated and are ineffective in response to GBV 4(2.2) 8(4.4) 88(48.6) 81(44.8) 1.64 0.691 Low Gender and family unit is a female unit, and only female officers should be sent there 8(4.4) 5(2.8) 61(33.7) 107(59.1) 1.52 0.91 Low Officers are not well-trained on GBV and how to handle cases 7(3.9) 17(9.4) 91(50.3) 66(36.4) 1.81 0.821 Low Officers are not provided with GBV information materials 41(22.7) 74(40.9) 31(17.1) 35(19.3) 2.67 1.076 High There is inadequate funding to carry out investigations and other GBV-related duties 100(55.2) 61(33.7) 8(4.4) 12(6.6) 3.38 2.031 High There is no provision for allocating budget or logistics for investigations under the police Act 61(33.7) 69(38.1) 26(14.4) 25(13.8) 2.92 1.014 High There is a complete lack of and neglect of psychosocial support services for GBV survivors 55(30.4) 66(36.5) 35(19.3) 25(13.8) 2.83 1.013 High There is no safe shelter for survivors who need it 70(38.7) 54(29.8) 49(27.1) 8(4.4) 3.03 0.906 High There is a lack of a private and safe space for survivors to speak freely and to regain confidence 58(32.0) 46(25.4) 47(26.0) 30(16.6) 2.73 1.111 High There is no secure record filling and storage space 51(28.2) 39(21.5) 47(26.0) 44(24.3) 2.54 1.248 High *Weighted average = 2.53 DISCUSSION Among the 169 (93.4%) personnel reported to have been trained, 74 (40.9%) were provided with GBV information materials. Of these trained personnel, 145 (85.4%) were still working and in their unit where they were trained on GBV, while 24 (14.6%) had been transferred to other units. This aligns with the (CEDOVIP, 2016 )Though a smaller percentage, 24 (14.6%) of trained personnel were redeployed to other units within the police, replacing them with untrained personnel. The present study shows that 107 (59.1%) personnel strongly disagreed that the gender and family unit is solely female officers. Meanwhile, 85 (47%) agreed that the gender and family unit in the police force lacks sufficient officers. Survivors who reported cases of GBV were attended to by officers of the same sex in 130 (71.8%) cases. Additionally, 88 (48.6%) personnel disagreed that officers are not dedicated and ineffective in their response to GBV. The findings is justified by the study of Solovey (Solovey, 2016 ), that the best way to recruit into the gender and family unit to ensure an effective way of combating GBV, there should be equal composition between male and female personnel to bring a balance and also ensure that there is improvement in services rendered by the police to survivors without any form of sentiments of gender either from the survivors reporting cases or personnel addressing the reported GBV cases. This suggests that a balanced composition of male and female personnel in the gender and family unit could improve services rendered by personnel to survivors without gender bias. The report of (Billingham, 2021 ) contradicts the present findings, stating that the police force lacks effective and dedicated officers to prioritize GBV responses. Comparing the present study with (Yalley & Olutayo, 2020 )It is evident that the police force’s historical masculine orientation (police training curriculum and physical training received at recruitment phases) has influenced perceptions, but it is an indication that public health interventions are gradually changing the mindsets toward combating GBV. Training and capacity challenge In terms of training and capacity, 91 (50.3%) disagreed with the notion that police officers are poorly trained on GBV and handling cases. This contrasts with (Solovey, 2016 ), who suggested that inadequate training could lead personnel to cause harm rather than protect survivors. He suggested that for survivors to gain trust in the police, intensive training on GBV must be done for personnel to exhibit a complete understanding of survivors' experiences. This suggests that the 91 (50.3%) well-trained personnel in the present study understand survivors’ experiences and should thus be trusted by survivors to handle their cases. According to (Yalley & Olutayo, 2020 ), the police force does not prioritize training its personnel on GBV but relies on Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) for such trainings, contributing to a skewed perception that the gender and family unit is solely for females and only addresses issues regarding them and male survivors not standing a chance of been listened or attended to by the police, and adding that, personnel definition of GBV was said to be “violence against women” . The police force not prioritizing training its personnel on GBV is reflected in the present study, where personnel who reported to be trained said that trainings were organized by NGOs 117 (85.4%), with only a lower percent 16 (11.7%) who reported to have been trained by the police as organizers. Funding/welfare challenge The study observed challenges in funds and welfare for personnel responding to GBV: inadequate funding for investigations, 100 (55.2%); no provision for budget or logistics 69 (38.1%); lack of safe shelter for survivors who need it, 70 (38.7%) but means for transportation and accompanying survivors for further services and referrals 102 (56.4%). Additionally, there is no secure record filing and storage space 51, 28.2%). Despite efforts to provide survivors with privacy 158 (87.3%), lack of private and safe space for confidentiality 58 (32%), and neglect of psychosocial services 66 (36.5%) remain challenges. This study aligns with (Godwin, 2021 ) on inadequate funding and welfare as barriers to effective GBV response, and with that, officers were observed to give up on further investigation of cases reported or assigned to them. (Yalley & Olutayo, 2020 ) correspond, highlighting the neglect of psychosocial support services, which could significantly aid GBV survivors. Further, there is a general lack of attention to the GBV unit due to its historical perception as a “feminine” unit, neglecting its critical role in handling GBV cases unlike the full attention given to units considered as the “masculine” unit such as anti-robbery squad, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), drug law, and the enforcement units among others. In conclusion, the study revealed that while some police personnel demonstrated commitment to handling GBV cases, systemic and structural barriers severely limited their effectiveness. Inadequate funding for investigations, absence of confidential private spaces for survivors, and weaknesses in training and deployment policies were identified as major obstacles. These institutional challenges not only hindered the capacity of personnel to respond appropriately but also weakened the overall effectiveness of GBV interventions. Addressing these systemic barriers is therefore critical to strengthening the police response and ensuring justice and protection for survivors. RECOMMENDATION To address systemic and institutional barriers to effective GBV response, the following recommendations are proposed: Resource allocation : Adequate and dedicated funding should be provided for GBV-related investigations, logistics, and case follow-ups. Special budgets should be earmarked for forensic tools, communication, and transport facilities. Enhanced support services : Establish confidential private spaces within police stations where survivors can feel safe and secure while reporting GBV cases. This will encourage more survivors to come forward. Improved deployment policies : Ensure trained personnel are strategically deployed and retained in the Gender and Family Support Unit. Transfer of trained officers to unrelated units should be minimized to preserve expertise. Psychosocial support for survivors : Provide counseling services and referrals to mental health professionals for survivors of GBV. Police stations should partner with NGOs and health institutions to deliver these services. Collaboration and partnerships : Strengthen partnerships with NGOs, CBOs, and other service providers for survivor referral, rehabilitation, and legal aid support, expanding the scope of assistance beyond what the police can offer. Public health research and monitoring : Regular monitoring of systemic challenges should be conducted to guide reforms, ensuring that barriers such as lack of funds or infrastructure are systematically addressed. Declarations Author Contribution Author Contributions:Conceptualization: OFEM, BISONGEDAMMethodology: OFEM, BISONGEDAMInvestigation (Data Collection): OBO, USOWriting –Review & Editing: NAKANDA, OFEM, [All other authors] References (UNICEF), U. N. C. s. F. (2019). Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies: Operational Guide . https://www.unicef.org. Billingham, Z. (2021). Police response to violence against women and girls: Final inspection report . H. M. s. I. o. C. a. F. R. Services. https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmicfrs/publication-html/police-response-toviolence-against-women-and-girls-final-inspection-reports. CEDOVIP, C. f. D. V. P. (2016). Schooling the police: Introducing the new police curriculum . https://www.cedovip.org/schooling-the-police-introducing-the-new-policecurriculum Godwin, A. (2021, 4 December 2021). Why sexual, gender-based violence victims hardly get justice in Nigeria. The Guardian Nigeria . https://guardian.ng/guardian-woman/why-sexual-gender-based-violence-victims-hardly-get-justice-in-nigeria/ Otang, G. (2021, December 3, 2021). Cross River tops gender violence chart in South-South, owns 42%. Tribune Online . https://tribuneonlineng.com/cross-river-tops-gender-violence-chart-in-south-south-owns-42/ SIDA, S. I. D. C. A. (2015). Preventing and responding to gender-based violence: Expressions and strategies . SIDA. https://cdn.sida.se/publications/files/sida61848en-preventing-and-responding-to-gender-based-violence-expressions-and-strategies.pdf Solovey, Y. (2016). Four ways to reduce gender-based violence in Ukraine. IREX Insights . https://www.irex.org/insight/four-ways-reduce-gender-based-violence-ukriane. UNDP, U. N. D. P. (2019). USPC and Korean National Police University reaffirm commitment to deepen GBV partnerships . Retrieved November 24 from https://www.undp.org/policy-centre/seoul/news/uspc-and-korean-national-police-university-reaffirm-commitment-deepen-gbv-partnerships WHO, W. H. O. (2018). The Health Response to Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies: A Webinar . https://www.who.int/health-cluster/about/work/task-teams/genderbasedviolence/en/ Yalley, A. A., & Olutayo, M. S. (2020). Gender, masculinity and policing: An analysis of the implications of police masculinised culture on policing domestic violence in southern Ghana and Lagos, Nigeria. Social Sciences & Humanities Open , 2 (1), 100077. Yamane, T. (1973). Statistics: An introductory analysis. Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-8221013","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":551756194,"identity":"0b09cca9-4d9c-43d1-bf0f-0ef3a3525e8e","order_by":0,"name":"BLESSING OFEM OBETEN","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"University of Calabar","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"BLESSING","middleName":"OFEM","lastName":"OBETEN","suffix":""},{"id":551756197,"identity":"fd1d62c5-1af8-4fbf-bc02-f92fa1550557","order_by":1,"name":"Marvin Muji BISONGEDAM","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAAzklEQVRIiWNgGAWjYLCCBCBmbGY+AKQkZEjRwgaiJHhIsYvHAEwSVKfbfvaZxMMd2xKb23k+v7pRY8HDwH746AZ8WszOpJtJJJ65ndjYzLvNOucY0GE8aWk38Go5kMZskNgG0WKcwwbUIsFjhl/L+WcwLTzPjHP+EaPlRhrjA6gW5se5bURpeQbWYtzYzGbGnNsnwcNG0C/n0xgO/my7Lbux//Djzznf6uT42Q8fw6sFDgwbGNgkQAw2opSDgDwDA/MHolWPglEwCkbBiAIAhi1JwmXjJIoAAAAASUVORK5CYII=","orcid":"","institution":"University of Calabar","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Marvin","middleName":"Muji","lastName":"BISONGEDAM","suffix":""},{"id":551756199,"identity":"40e386f4-9fa7-4cf5-b303-9f6bed6c6c29","order_by":2,"name":"OFEM OBETEN","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"University of Calabar","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"OFEM","middleName":"","lastName":"OBETEN","suffix":""},{"id":551756201,"identity":"8057a827-1451-42d6-b7fd-7b8f10872e1a","order_by":3,"name":"TIMABEN EDOM OBO","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"College of Nursing Calabar. Cross River State Nigeria","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"TIMABEN","middleName":"EDOM","lastName":"OBO","suffix":""},{"id":551756204,"identity":"90b011bc-5e9f-4e90-89f2-c7843f8e7a62","order_by":4,"name":"WISDOM BASSEY USO","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"University of Calabar","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"WISDOM","middleName":"BASSEY","lastName":"USO","suffix":""},{"id":551756207,"identity":"3e763424-6d46-493d-b851-86974cb88a71","order_by":5,"name":"ASARI EYO NAKANDA","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"University of Calabar","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"ASARI","middleName":"EYO","lastName":"NAKANDA","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2025-11-27 10:38:25","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8221013/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8221013/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":96993284,"identity":"9a0524f4-dcba-45c4-895a-8bc0c41c62fd","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-28 11:49:44","extension":"docx","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":43988,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"CHALLENGESFACEDBYPOLICEPERSONNELINRESPONDINGTOGENDERBASEDVIOLENCEINCROSSRIVERSTATEPOLICECOMMANDNIGERIA..docx","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8221013/v1/f9b819863fdccc5cd4b1c0a8.docx"},{"id":96993282,"identity":"f89457e7-e273-40c2-9ccf-0f0c8f654d75","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-28 11:49:44","extension":"json","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":8156,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"83b2afc99e4c45edb437a68419e035df.json","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8221013/v1/3d9e81e359d70eb81c5f4714.json"},{"id":96993283,"identity":"045de7ef-6296-4f50-8f5d-cbf2b9c420c7","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-28 11:49:44","extension":"xml","order_by":2,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":70764,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"83b2afc99e4c45edb437a68419e035df1enriched.xml","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8221013/v1/681c3053462819cf7e5e7ee0.xml"},{"id":97137666,"identity":"cef9aba3-1982-4841-8fa9-cb3264f9e3e1","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-01 09:58:03","extension":"xml","order_by":3,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":68204,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"83b2afc99e4c45edb437a68419e035df1structuring.xml","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8221013/v1/4c7ecba54f3b3f6ac77fd792.xml"},{"id":96993285,"identity":"ff0ae6a7-3cd2-436b-b5b1-9c0aa689c18c","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-28 11:49:44","extension":"html","order_by":4,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":78250,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"earlyproof.html","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8221013/v1/4469b02de33122109d7cf88d.html"},{"id":97526237,"identity":"0a501a91-a169-4e4c-b807-f337002ec4b5","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-05 12:23:45","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":1225483,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8221013/v1/58842a9c-b71c-419d-9f79-5f93fa5644e9.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"\u003cp\u003eChallenges Faced by Police Personnel in Responding to Gender-Based Violence in Cross River State Police Command, Nigeria\u003c/p\u003e","fulltext":[{"header":"INTRODUCTION","content":"\u003cp\u003eGender-based violence, according to (WHO, 2018), is an umbrella term for all forms of harmful acts perpetrated against a person\u0026rsquo;s will and is based on differences in gender between males and females. GBV takes up different forms, which include sexual violence, physical violence, emotional and verbal violence, intimate partner violence, child marriage, female genital mutilation/cutting, trafficking for sexual exploitation, female infanticide, honour crimes, battery, and sexual cleansing ((UNICEF), 2019). GBV remains a significant security concern despite laws and policies in place to combat it. Priority action is needed to prevent and end GBV by protecting survivors' rights and access to legal and health services (SIDA, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e). Despite the existence of laws and policies aimed at addressing GBV in Nigeria, the problem remains a major security, public health, and human rights concern. The police, as the primary point of contact for many survivors, play a central role in prevention, investigation, and prosecution efforts (UNDP, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e). However, GBV response is complex, often hindered by structural, cultural, and operational challenges.(SIDA, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eGlobally, police forces encounter obstacles such as inadequate training, limited resources, societal pressure, and institutional biases, which weaken their ability to respond effectively (Billingham, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e). In Nigeria, these issues are compounded by high GBV prevalence rates, with some regions like Cross River State reporting rates as high as 42% (Otang, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e) and by underreporting due to survivors\u0026rsquo; mistrust of law enforcement systems. Understanding the specific challenges faced by police personnel in the GBV response system is crucial to strengthening their role in protecting survivors and upholding justice.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis study identifies the operational, institutional, and socio-cultural barriers that limit police effectiveness in handling GBV cases. Documenting these challenges will provide a framework for targeted interventions, including training, resource allocation, procedural reforms, and inter-agency collaborations that can improve GBV response capacity.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"METHODOLOGY","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eStudy area\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe study was conducted at the Cross River State Police Command, located at Leopard Town Road, Diamond Hill, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. The Command oversees all Police Divisions across the State\u0026rsquo;s Local Government Areas and is headed by the Commissioner of Police. GBV cases are primarily addressed by the Family Unit under the Investigation Department, working in collaboration with the Legal/Prosecution and Medical units.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eStudy design\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA cross-sectional descriptive design with quantitative methods was adopted to examine the operational, logistical, and institutional challenges personnel face in responding to GBV cases.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eStudy population\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePersonnel in the Family, Legal/Prosecution, and medical units of the Cross River State Police Command, including those at divisional levels involved in recording, reporting, and addressing GBV cases.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSample size determination\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe sample size for the study was determined using (Yamane, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1973\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Equa\" class=\"Equation\"\u003e\u003cdiv format=\"TEX\" class=\"mathdisplay\" id=\"FileID_Equa\" name=\"EquationSource\"\u003e\n$$\\:=\\frac{N}{1+N{\\left(e\\right)}^{2}}$$\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhere:\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003en\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;sample size\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eN\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;population size of the study (the estimated number given by the police\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;325: Family-177; Legal/Prosecution-88; and medical unit-60)\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ee\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;precision or absolute sample error required 5% (0.05)\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTherefore;\u003cdiv id=\"Equb\" class=\"Equation\"\u003e\u003cdiv format=\"TEX\" class=\"mathdisplay\" id=\"FileID_Equb\" name=\"EquationSource\"\u003e\n$$\\:n=\\frac{325}{1+325\\left(0.0{5}^{2}\\right)}$$\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Equc\" class=\"Equation\"\u003e\u003cdiv format=\"TEX\" class=\"mathdisplay\" id=\"FileID_Equc\" name=\"EquationSource\"\u003e\n$$\\:=\\frac{325}{1+325\\left(0.0025\\right)}$$\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Equd\" class=\"Equation\"\u003e\u003cdiv format=\"TEX\" class=\"mathdisplay\" id=\"FileID_Equd\" name=\"EquationSource\"\u003e\n$$\\:=\\frac{325}{1.8125}$$\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003en\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;179\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTo account for non-response, the sample size was increased by 5%\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg 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width=\"330\" height=\"51\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInclusion criteria\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cp\u003eAll personnel working under the Family, Legal/Prosecution, and Medical Units, which address all gender-based violence cases reported to the Cross River State Police Command, Nigeria, were included in the study.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSampling procedure\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cp\u003eMulti-stage sampling technique was used for the study.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStage 1: distribution of personnel in family, legal/prosecution, and medical units\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere were 177 personnel in the family unit, 88 in the legal/prosecution unit, and 60 in the medical unit working to address GBV in the Cross River State Police Command and its Divisions, making a total of 325. A proportionate sampling method was used to determine the number of personnel in each unit, with a sample size of 188.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg 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\" style=\"width: 437px; height: 159.784px;\" width=\"437\" height=\"159.784\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStage 2: Selection of personnel\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe sample size of 188 respondents, Police personnel from the family (102), legal/prosecution (51), and medical units (35) working together to address GBV cases, was then purposively sampled based on the distribution of personnel derived from the proportionate sampling technique.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe purposive sampling technique was used to select respondents because the researcher was limited to only Police Officers in the Family, Medical, and Legal units, with the information required for this study, and was based on availability.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInstruments for data collection\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA self-administered semi-structured questionnaire was used. Sections of relevance for this topic included: a semi-structured questionnaire, which consisted of two sections- section A contained information on participants\u0026apos; socio-demographic characteristics. Section B contained information on the challenges faced by personnel in responding to GBV.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eValidity and reliability\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe instrument was reviewed for content and face validity by experts, and reliability was tested in the Akwa Ibom State Police Command.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eData collection procedure\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo (2) research assistants were trained and employed to assist the researcher in data collection to ensure that valid and reliable data were collected. A total of 188 semi-structured questionnaires were distributed among Police personnel in the Family, Legal/Prosecution, and medical units working together to address GBV cases were selected by the purposive sampling method.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eData analysis\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChallenges were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean scores, standard deviations, and frequency distributions). The weighted average method was applied, with 2.53 used as the decision benchmark for determining major challenges.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthical Consideration\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eApprovals and ethical clearance were obtained from the relevant ethics committee, including the Cross River State Health Research Ethics Committee (CRS-HREC), and the Commissioner of Police. Informed consent was secured from all participants, and confidentiality was ensured.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"RESULTS","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec14\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSocio-demographic variables of respondents\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe minimum age of personnel was 24 years, and the maximum was 57 years, with a mean age of 41 years. The majority of personnel who responded were females, 104 (57.5%). Most of the personnel were from Cross River State 131, 72.4%), and then followed by 33 (18.2%) personnel from Akwa Ibom State. A total of 179 (98.9%) personnel were Christians, having 2 (1.1%) personnel as Traditionalists. The highest level of education of most of the personnel, 144 (79.6%), was tertiary level, followed by 36 (19.9%) personnel at the secondary level. On the marital status of personnel, 136 (75.1%) were married. The majority of these personnel 60, 33.1%) were of Inspector of Police rank; 57 (31.5%) were of the rank Assistant Superintendent of Police; 32 (17.7%) were Deputy Superintendent of Police; 18 (9.9%) were constables; and 6 (3.3%) were at the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police II. Personnel who responded were in family unit 98 (54.1%), medical unit 35 (19.4%), and 48 (26.5%) from the legal unit. (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSocio-demographic variables of respondents\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"3\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eVariable\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFrequency (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;181)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ePercent (%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eGender\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e77\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e42.5\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e104\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e57.5\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eState of origin\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eCross River\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e131\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e72.4\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAkwa Ibom\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e33\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e18.2\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eRivers State\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e5\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e2.8\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eEdo\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e3\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e1.7\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eBenue State\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e5\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e2.8\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eEbonyi\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e1\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.6\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDelta\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e3\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e1.7\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAge in years\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e24\u0026ndash;29\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e27\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e14.9\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e30\u0026ndash;34\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e9\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e5.0\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e35\u0026ndash;39\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e50\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e27.6\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e40\u0026ndash;44\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e29\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e16.0\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e45\u0026ndash;49\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e6\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e3.3\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e50\u0026ndash;54\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e36\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e19.9\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e55\u0026ndash;60\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e24\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e13.3\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eReligion\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eChristian\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e179\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e98.9\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTraditionalist\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e2\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e1.1\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHighest level of education\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTertiary\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e144\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e79.6\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSecondary\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e36\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e19.9\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ePrimary\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e1\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e.6\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMarital status\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMarried\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e136\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e75.1\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSingle\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e45\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e24.9\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eRank\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSupt of Police\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e5\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e2.8\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAsst. Supt\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e57\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e31.5\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eInspector\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e60\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e33.1\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eHead of anti-robbery\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e1\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e.6\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eASP 2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e6\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e3.3\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eHuman Rights Section, Operative\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e1\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e.6\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eCSP\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e1\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e.6\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eConstable\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e18\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e9.9\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDeputy Supt. of Police\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e32\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e17.7\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eService unit\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFamily\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e98\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e54.1\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMedical\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e35\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e19.4\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLegal\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e48\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e26.5\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePosition held in your unit\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eOC Records SCID\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e34\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e22.1\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eInvestigator\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e60\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e39.0\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eHOD\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e20\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e13.0\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAdministrator\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e8\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e5.2\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eHead of Anti-Robbery\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e3\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e2.0\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eProsecutor\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e9\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e5.8\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eOfficer In-charge of the General Unit\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e13\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e8.4\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDetective\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e7\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e4.5\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec15\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eChallenges encountered by police personnel in response to gender-based violence\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe results show that the majority of the personnel, 169 (93.4%), had reported that some personnel had been trained in their unit on GBV, while 12 (6.6%) reported that no personnel had been trained. Among the personnel who said some personnel were trained, the majority of them, 145 (85.4%), indicated that those trained personnel were still in their units, whereas 24 (14.6%) indicated that the trained personnel were no longer in the units in which they were trained. The majority of personnel, 130 (71.8%), said that survivors who reported cases of GBV were attended to by officers of the same sex, whereas 51 (28.2%) said survivors of GBV were not attended to by officers of the same sex. A greater proportion of the personnel, 102 (56.4%), indicated that their station could transport or accompany survivors for further services and referrals, while 79 (43.6%) personnel indicated that their station could not transport or accompany survivors for further services and referrals. (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003ea).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe majority of personnel, 85 (47.0%), appeared to have a high level of challenge as officers in the gender and family unit were insufficient. A low-level challenge was noted among the majority of personnel, 88 (48.6%), that officers were not being dedicated and were ineffective in response to GBV cases reported to them. The majority of personnel who strongly disagreed with the statement that a female unit, comprising only female officers, should be sent were 107 (59.1%), indicating a low level of challenge. Also, most of the personnel 91, 50.3%) disagreed with the statement that officers are not well trained on GBV and how to handle cases, which indicated a low challenge level. However, there were notable high challenge level reported by majority of the personnel 74 (40.9%) who reported that officers are not provided with GBV information materials, 100 (55.2%) inadequate funding to carry out investigation and other GBV related duties, 69 (38.1%) no provision for allocating budget or logistic for investigations on the police Act, and 66 (36.5%) a complete lack and neglect on psychosocial support services for GBV survivors.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFurthermore, Majority of the personnel 70 (38.7%) reported a high level of challenges encountered in areas of no provision of safe shelter for survivors who need it, fifty-eight (32.0%) personnel reported a lack of private and safe space for survivors to speak freely and for confidentially, and also, a lack of secure record filing and storage space in the police station. (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003eb).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 3\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ea\u003c/b\u003e: Challenges encountered by Police Personnel\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"3\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eVariable\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFrequency (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;181)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ePercent (%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTrained on GBV?\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTrained\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e169\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e93.4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNot trained\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e12\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eIf yes, are the individuals who were trained still in your unit?\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e145\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e85.4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e24\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e14.6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGender of the officer attending to survivors\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSame sex\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e130\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e71.8\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eOpposite sex\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e51\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e28.2\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDoes your station have the ability to transport or accompany survivors for further services and referrals?\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e102\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e56.4\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e79\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e43.6\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab3\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 3\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eb\u003c/b\u003e: Challenges encountered by Police Personnel\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"8\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eStatement\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eStrongly Agree\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003en(%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAgree\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003en(%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eDisagree\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003en(%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eStrongly Disagree\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003en(%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMean\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eStd.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDeviation\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eChallenge Remark\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eOfficers in the gender and family unit are insufficient\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e35(19.3)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e85(47.0)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e48(26.5)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e13(7.2)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.81\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.027\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eHigh\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eOfficers are not dedicated and are ineffective in response to GBV\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e4(2.2)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8(4.4)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e88(48.6)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e81(44.8)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.64\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.691\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLow\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eGender and family unit is a female unit, and only female officers should be sent there\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8(4.4)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5(2.8)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e61(33.7)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e107(59.1)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.52\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.91\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLow\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eOfficers are not well-trained on GBV and how to handle cases\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e7(3.9)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e17(9.4)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e91(50.3)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e66(36.4)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.81\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.821\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eLow\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eOfficers are not provided with GBV information materials\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e41(22.7)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e74(40.9)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e31(17.1)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e35(19.3)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.67\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.076\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eHigh\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eThere is inadequate funding to carry out investigations and other GBV-related duties\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e100(55.2)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e61(33.7)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8(4.4)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e12(6.6)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.38\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.031\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eHigh\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eThere is no provision for allocating budget or logistics for investigations under the police Act\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e61(33.7)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e69(38.1)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e26(14.4)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e25(13.8)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.92\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.014\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eHigh\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eThere is a complete lack of and neglect of psychosocial support services for GBV survivors\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e55(30.4)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e66(36.5)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e35(19.3)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e25(13.8)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.83\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.013\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eHigh\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eThere is no safe shelter for survivors who need it\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e70(38.7)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e54(29.8)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e49(27.1)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8(4.4)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.03\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.906\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eHigh\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eThere is a lack of a private and safe space for survivors to speak freely and to regain confidence\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e58(32.0)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e46(25.4)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e47(26.0)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e30(16.6)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.73\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.111\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eHigh\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eThere is no secure record filling and storage space\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e51(28.2)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e39(21.5)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e47(26.0)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e44(24.3)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.54\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.248\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eHigh\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec16\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e*Weighted average\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;2.53\u003c/h2\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"DISCUSSION","content":"\u003cp\u003eAmong the 169 (93.4%) personnel reported to have been trained, 74 (40.9%) were provided with GBV information materials. Of these trained personnel, 145 (85.4%) were still working and in their unit where they were trained on GBV, while 24 (14.6%) had been transferred to other units. This aligns with the (CEDOVIP, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e)Though a smaller percentage, 24 (14.6%) of trained personnel were redeployed to other units within the police, replacing them with untrained personnel.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe present study shows that 107 (59.1%) personnel strongly disagreed that the gender and family unit is solely female officers. Meanwhile, 85 (47%) agreed that the gender and family unit in the police force lacks sufficient officers. Survivors who reported cases of GBV were attended to by officers of the same sex in 130 (71.8%) cases. Additionally, 88 (48.6%) personnel disagreed that officers are not dedicated and ineffective in their response to GBV. The findings is justified by the study of Solovey (Solovey, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e), that the best way to recruit into the gender and family unit to ensure an effective way of combating GBV, there should be equal composition between male and female personnel to bring a balance and also ensure that there is improvement in services rendered by the police to survivors without any form of sentiments of gender either from the survivors reporting cases or personnel addressing the reported GBV cases. This suggests that a balanced composition of male and female personnel in the gender and family unit could improve services rendered by personnel to survivors without gender bias. The report of (Billingham, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e) contradicts the present findings, stating that the police force lacks effective and dedicated officers to prioritize GBV responses. Comparing the present study with (Yalley \u0026amp; Olutayo, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e)It is evident that the police force\u0026rsquo;s historical masculine orientation (police training curriculum and physical training received at recruitment phases) has influenced perceptions, but it is an indication that public health interventions are gradually changing the mindsets toward combating GBV.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec18\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTraining and capacity challenge\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn terms of training and capacity, 91 (50.3%) disagreed with the notion that police officers are poorly trained on GBV and handling cases. This contrasts with (Solovey, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e), who suggested that inadequate training could lead personnel to cause harm rather than protect survivors. He suggested that for survivors to gain trust in the police, intensive training on GBV must be done for personnel to exhibit a complete understanding of survivors' experiences. This suggests that the 91 (50.3%) well-trained personnel in the present study understand survivors\u0026rsquo; experiences and should thus be trusted by survivors to handle their cases.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAccording to (Yalley \u0026amp; Olutayo, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e), the police force does not prioritize training its personnel on GBV but relies on Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) for such trainings, contributing to a skewed perception that the gender and family unit is solely for females and only addresses issues regarding them and male survivors not standing a chance of been listened or attended to by the police, and adding that, personnel definition of GBV was said to be \u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;violence against women\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e. The police force not prioritizing training its personnel on GBV is reflected in the present study, where personnel who reported to be trained said that trainings were organized by NGOs 117 (85.4%), with only a lower percent 16 (11.7%) who reported to have been trained by the police as organizers.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFunding/welfare challenge\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe study observed challenges in funds and welfare for personnel responding to GBV: inadequate funding for investigations, 100 (55.2%); no provision for budget or logistics 69 (38.1%); lack of safe shelter for survivors who need it, 70 (38.7%) but means for transportation and accompanying survivors for further services and referrals 102 (56.4%). Additionally, there is no secure record filing and storage space 51, 28.2%). Despite efforts to provide survivors with privacy 158 (87.3%), lack of private and safe space for confidentiality 58 (32%), and neglect of psychosocial services 66 (36.5%) remain challenges. This study aligns with (Godwin, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e) on inadequate funding and welfare as barriers to effective GBV response, and with that, officers were observed to give up on further investigation of cases reported or assigned to them. (Yalley \u0026amp; Olutayo, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e) correspond, highlighting the neglect of psychosocial support services, which could significantly aid GBV survivors. Further, there is a general lack of attention to the GBV unit due to its historical perception as a \u0026ldquo;feminine\u0026rdquo; unit, neglecting its critical role in handling GBV cases unlike the full attention given to units considered as the \u0026ldquo;masculine\u0026rdquo; unit such as anti-robbery squad, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), drug law, and the enforcement units among others.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn conclusion, the study revealed that while some police personnel demonstrated commitment to handling GBV cases, systemic and structural barriers severely limited their effectiveness. Inadequate funding for investigations, absence of confidential private spaces for survivors, and weaknesses in training and deployment policies were identified as major obstacles. These institutional challenges not only hindered the capacity of personnel to respond appropriately but also weakened the overall effectiveness of GBV interventions. Addressing these systemic barriers is therefore critical to strengthening the police response and ensuring justice and protection for survivors.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec19\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eRECOMMENDATION\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTo address systemic and institutional barriers to effective GBV response, the following recommendations are proposed:\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003col\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eResource allocation\u003c/b\u003e: Adequate and dedicated funding should be provided for GBV-related investigations, logistics, and case follow-ups. Special budgets should be earmarked for forensic tools, communication, and transport facilities.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eEnhanced support services\u003c/b\u003e: Establish confidential private spaces within police stations where survivors can feel safe and secure while reporting GBV cases. This will encourage more survivors to come forward.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eImproved deployment policies\u003c/b\u003e: Ensure trained personnel are strategically deployed and retained in the Gender and Family Support Unit. Transfer of trained officers to unrelated units should be minimized to preserve expertise.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePsychosocial support for survivors\u003c/b\u003e: Provide counseling services and referrals to mental health professionals for survivors of GBV. Police stations should partner with NGOs and health institutions to deliver these services.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCollaboration and partnerships\u003c/b\u003e: Strengthen partnerships with NGOs, CBOs, and other service providers for survivor referral, rehabilitation, and legal aid support, expanding the scope of assistance beyond what the police can offer.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublic health research and monitoring\u003c/b\u003e: Regular monitoring of systemic challenges should be conducted to guide reforms, ensuring that barriers such as lack of funds or infrastructure are systematically addressed.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/ol\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003ch2\u003eAuthor Contribution\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAuthor Contributions:Conceptualization: OFEM, BISONGEDAMMethodology: OFEM, BISONGEDAMInvestigation (Data Collection): OBO, USOWriting \u0026ndash;Review \u0026amp; Editing: NAKANDA, OFEM, [All other authors]\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e(UNICEF), U. N. C. s. F. (2019). \u003cem\u003eGender-Based Violence in Emergencies: Operational Guide\u003c/em\u003e. https://www.unicef.org.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBillingham, Z. (2021). \u003cem\u003ePolice response to violence against women and girls: Final inspection report\u003c/em\u003e. H. M. s. I. o. C. a. F. R. Services. https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmicfrs/publication-html/police-response-toviolence-against-women-and-girls-final-inspection-reports.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCEDOVIP, C. f. D. V. P. (2016). \u003cem\u003eSchooling the police: Introducing the new police curriculum\u003c/em\u003e. https://www.cedovip.org/schooling-the-police-introducing-the-new-policecurriculum\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGodwin, A. (2021, 4 December 2021). Why sexual, gender-based violence victims hardly get justice in Nigeria.\u003cem\u003e The Guardian Nigeria\u003c/em\u003e. https://guardian.ng/guardian-woman/why-sexual-gender-based-violence-victims-hardly-get-justice-in-nigeria/\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOtang, G. (2021, December 3, 2021). Cross River tops gender violence chart in South-South, owns 42%.\u003cem\u003e Tribune Online\u003c/em\u003e. https://tribuneonlineng.com/cross-river-tops-gender-violence-chart-in-south-south-owns-42/\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSIDA, S. I. D. C. A. (2015). \u003cem\u003ePreventing and responding to gender-based violence: Expressions and strategies\u003c/em\u003e. SIDA. https://cdn.sida.se/publications/files/sida61848en-preventing-and-responding-to-gender-based-violence-expressions-and-strategies.pdf\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSolovey, Y. (2016). Four ways to reduce gender-based violence in Ukraine. \u003cem\u003eIREX Insights\u003c/em\u003e. https://www.irex.org/insight/four-ways-reduce-gender-based-violence-ukriane. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUNDP, U. N. D. P. (2019). \u003cem\u003eUSPC and Korean National Police University reaffirm commitment to deepen GBV partnerships\u003c/em\u003e. Retrieved November 24 from https://www.undp.org/policy-centre/seoul/news/uspc-and-korean-national-police-university-reaffirm-commitment-deepen-gbv-partnerships\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWHO, W. H. O. (2018). \u003cem\u003eThe Health Response to Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies: A Webinar\u003c/em\u003e. https://www.who.int/health-cluster/about/work/task-teams/genderbasedviolence/en/\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYalley, A. A., \u0026amp; Olutayo, M. S. (2020). Gender, masculinity and policing: An analysis of the implications of police masculinised culture on policing domestic violence in southern Ghana and Lagos, Nigeria. \u003cem\u003eSocial Sciences \u0026amp; Humanities Open\u003c/em\u003e,\u003cem\u003e 2\u003c/em\u003e(1), 100077. \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYamane, T. (1973). Statistics: An introductory analysis.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":true,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8221013/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8221013/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eGender-based violence is violence directed against an individual based on sex or gender, which is the most common human rights violation, frequently occurring across all nations of the world, without social or economic boundaries. This research examined the challenges encountered by police personnel in Cross River State in effectively responding to gender-based violence (GBV). Utilizing data from a cross-sectional descriptive survey of 188 personnel across family/gender, legal/prosecution, and medical units, the study identified key structural and operational barriers. The most prevalent challenge was inadequate funding (55.2%), followed by lack of private space for survivors (38.7%), and insufficient training and deployment of specialized personnel (47%). These constraints were reported to significantly hinder the timely and sensitive handling of GBV cases. Despite some personnel ensuring case filing (43.6%) and convictions (43.1%), the overall response was undermined by systemic inefficiencies. The study emphasizes the urgent need for resource allocation, private interview spaces, and continuous capacity building within the police force to improve institutional responsiveness and survivor-centered care in GBV interventions.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Challenges Faced by Police Personnel in Responding to Gender-Based Violence in Cross River State Police Command, Nigeria","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-11-28 11:49:40","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8221013/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"67f390dd-fe89-495f-ad90-e9eaebd66717","owner":[],"postedDate":"November 28th, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2025-12-05T12:23:11+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2025-11-28 11:49:40","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-8221013","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-8221013","identity":"rs-8221013","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}